The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

This weekend we traveled (without the little man) to College Station, TX to attend my sister's graduation from Texas A&M University. It not only marks Lindsay's completion of school but also the completion of graduations in our two families until Steven and Saige graduate from high school (I don't want to even think about that!).

We drove in Friday night and had an excellent dinner at Christopher's World Grill with my parents, Lindsay, and Kyle. It was so nice to be able to enjoy the food and conversation without constant interruption (I won't say by whom...). Lindsay graduated on Saturday morning; there were several babies around us that did pretty well but I was very happy that we didn't force Steven to sit through the ceremony for all our sakes. That afternoon we went to celebrate at a friend's house before driving back to pick up Steven.

Walking in...Our view of the stage...

at Lindsay's graduation partySteven had a good time at Mimi and Popo's while we were away.

Still, Still, Still

3 cousinsSteven smothering Meadow with a hug and kissLast weekend we traveled to see Charlton's grandparents and have the annual family Christmas gathering for all Charlton's aunts, uncles, and cousins. I didn't get a chance to post these pics before we left for this weekend's festivities but I'm a creature of habit and have to go in order so you get these first. It was great to see everyone and spend some extra time with Ma and Pa by ourselves. We were also excited for Steven (15 mos.), Billie (15 mos.), and Saige (16 mos.) to be able to play together this year since last year they were pretty much oblivious to each other's existence as you can tell from this picture:
what a difference a year makes...

Let There Be Peace On Earth

I don't remember hearing this carol or know the tune but I've posted the verses below if anyone is curious. I wanted an original one since I feel like I'm just using the popular ones that my other friends have been using too. Last week before we took our trip, Steven and I went to have a play date with Cheryl, Saige, and Meadow. I was hoping it would be a peaceful visit and Steven did do pretty well.





Steven was crawling over the bottom of the stools which we thought was particularly funny because he was in camo. We asked him if he was creating his own boot camp.

Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be!

With God as our Father, brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me.

Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry breath I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally!

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

This is our beautiful Christmas tree. I just love Christmas trees and white lights are my favorite. We weren't sure where to put the tree since Steven is much more mobile and active than he was last year (check out the picture below for a comparison).

We were afraid to put it in the living room like it was last year for fear that he would destroy it in a matter of minutes. I have to give him credit, though, he has been pretty good with it. We did end up putting it out it the open of the living room to see if he could handle it; he did well around our friends and family's trees so I thought it might be ok. He really likes the lights and, as you can see, he does try to pull the lights and ornaments off every once it a while, but stops when I tell him to(most of the time). We only put a few non-breakable ornaments within his reach and he likes to take them off and play with them. And then he trys to put them back on the tree which is really cute.

We're also showing some Aggie spirit with Steven's outfit which is perfectly on topic since Charlton and I are traveling to see my sister graduate from A&M this weekend. We're making it a short get-away trip to enjoy to festivities since Steven will be staying with Mimi and Popo.
Congrats to Aunt Lindsay for being a college grad and for all of her achievements! We are so proud of you and are EXCITED about this weekend.

Little Drummer Boy

When I think of a drummer boy I think of a little guy who is running around in constant motion which makes me think of...you got it, Steven! We took a break from Christmas shopping in our suburban mall to play on the indoor playground. Steven loves it- so many things to climb on and there is no a shortage of children to play with! I get a little squeamish thinking of all the germs that are probably on the slides, etc. but we wash our hands when we are done and I get over it when I see how much fun he's having (and the fact that we don't go that often). =)

In this picture I just imagine that he's thinking,"Moooommm, you're embarrassing me. Stop taking pictures!" But I just can't help it.

What Child is This?

This post title is dedicated to my friend, Jamie, who challenged her blog friends to post everyday with a Christmas title. I promise to use as many Christmas titles as possible this month but it won't be every day, sorry.

Steven turned 15 months on Sunday. He really seems so old to me that I can hardly believe he is the same baby I had 15 months ago. This weekend I taught him how to roar when we ask,"what sound does a lion make?" I've been trying other animal sounds for months but I guess they weren't exciting enough because he roared almost immediately after I did and was doing it later in the car. We think it's pretty funny. We have been focusing a lot in the language department since he has mastered the physical realm so well. "Uh-oh" is really the only word that he consistently says without prompting, but he repeats a lot and is really watching our mouths to see how we are making different sounds and trys to mouth them himself.

We went for our well-visit today and got a thumbs up. Steven is 23 lbs. 4 oz. (between 25-50 percentile) and 31 inches (50 percentile). He has 10 teeth including both top molars and his bottom gums are really swollen and bumpy so I'm sure that the ones he's lacking will make an appearance soon. She asked if he is talking at all and after telling her what I wrote above, she said that he is doing well and on track for his age. Even though I wasn't worried before, it was good to hear. That must mean Saige is a language prodigy because she says lots of words. She even says "la la" (meaning Aunt La La, i.e. me!) sometimes. That is so much fun!

Steven is going through a mommy stage again. He wants to be doing whatever I am; although, I have to give him credit because he does play by himself well at times too. If he just wants my attention he pushes me away from whatever I am doing with both hands. He has discovered a love of sorting laundry, dropping it in the washing machine, and loading/unloading the dishwasher (minus knives of course). He also loves to use the swifer and this week I was thinking about actually putting the wet cloth on it and directing him to the floor under his highchair. It's always the messiest area of the kitchen and well, it only seems fair, right?

He also has decided that he is a big boy and doesn't need his food cut up as small. In fact, he doesn't want his fruit cut up at all. I have been showing him different fruits and telling him what they are and what color, etc. He loves to hold them and he is always pointing up to the fruit bowl he can see sitting on the counter. One day I gave him a pear to hold and looked away for a minute which was long enough for him to take a bite. He got really upset when I took it away to wash it so I let him just eat it whole because it was very ripe and soft. Yesterday I forgot and cut his pear up into large cubes and he wanted to eat the rest that I hadn't cut up yet first. I guess he's growing up.

Can you find the thing that doesn't belong?

This morning I opened a kitchen drawer and saw this:

Steven has gotten to the height that he can open a drawer and drop something in. He can also get things out if they are close to the top. I guess it's time to put latches on the drawers now too.

Thanksgiving with the Wimberlys

I have decided to call this next set of pictures...
Givin' Ozzy Lots of Lovin'

Sorry for so many similar pictures- I just thought they were too funny not to post because there were so many of Steven "hugging" Ozzy. Steven really loves dogs. Most of the dogs in our neighborhood that he has gotten to play with are pretty big dogs so one that he could pick up himself was pretty exciting for the little guy.

Saige is thinking "oh, no, I don't think Ozzy can survive another hug!"

So, Steven gives him a kiss

Charlton's 30!

Yesterday was Charlton's 30th birthday. Last weekend he celebrated with the guys and today we are going over to celebrate with the Wimberlys. Last night was his firm's Christmas party at the Houstonian and was so much fun! I love a chance to dress-up! Thanks to Mimi and Popo for babysitting and to Mammaw for taking the pictures.